Assistant Planning Director

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Assistant Planning Director performs professional and administrative duties related to town planning, zoning, and code enforcement. This position involves complex technical and professional work in both current and long-range planning, focusing on land use development and policy implementation. The Assistant Planning Director serves as a key advisor on planning and development issues and assists in departmental operations. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Planning Board, developers, and the public, to ensure effective planning and development processes. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, initiating, implementing, monitoring, and updating municipal planning activities and community designs and review of all residential, commercial, and industrial development and redevelopment proposals. 

• Provides technical information and interpretations orally and in writing to land developers and the public concerning land use applications, Town policies and regulations, zoning, subdivision, site plan review, and other relevant land use related regulations and procedures.
• Prepares and supervises the preparation of specialized planning projects, such as land development, transportation systems, community facilities and others.

• Researches, analysis, and prepares reports on current planning issues, environmental, and process actions for presentation to the Plan and Zoning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals
• Participates in long range planning efforts addressing transportation, housing, land use, and public facilities.
• Manages research, formulation, and implementation of all comprehensive long-range plans and related activities and ensures coordination with regional partners and neighboring local jurisdictions.
• Reviews and processes development applications including commercial and residential development, subdivision applications, and variances.
• Manages the Town’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program and FEMA CRS program.
• Assists in the administration of the Town’s floodplain development and coastal management.
• Secures, administers, and implements State or Federal grants and contracts related to planning and community development.
• Provides high-level direction support to and manages subordinate staff.
• Performs other related duties as requested.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Possesses extensive working knowledge of principles and practices associated with rural, urban and regional planning and subdivision design.
• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of planning specialization such as transportation, zoning, subdivision and flood damage prevention.
• Possesses considerable knowledge of Federal, State, and County policies, procedures, and regulations pertaining to the areas of responsibility.
• Considerable knowledge of PC and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) hardware and software.
• Possesses extensive knowledge of methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation. 
• Demonstrates a capacity to work collaboratively and build/maintain effective working relationships with staff in all levels of the organization, elected officials, and outside agencies.
• Is self-starting with strong independent decision-making ability and project management skills/experience.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and oral, including strong command of grammar and language that is easily understandable to a wide variety of audiences
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with balanced judgment
• Must show demonstrated ability to interpret and analyze technical and statistical information
• Strong computer and technical skills and experience
• Working knowledge associated with landscape design, Traditional and Neighborhood Design (TND)

• Bachelor’s degree fromanaccreditedfour-yearcollegewithmajorstudyinthefieldofGeography, Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture or closely related field.
• Minimum three (3) years of experience working in municipal and/or local government planning, engineering, capital projects management, or public administration is required.
• Minimum three (3) years of experience directly supervising subordinate staff and managing various projects.

• Experience with National Flood Insurance Program.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Certification is desired but not required.
• Valid driver’s license.

SCHEDULE

• Monday-Friday; 8:30AM-4:30PM

PAY RANGE

• Salary Grade 10

AFFILIATION

• Member of Professional and Technical Employees Association (PETA) Collective Bargaining Unit

THE TOWN OF FAIRFIELD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of the Town of Fairfield to ensure equal employment opportunity for all employees and to prohibit unlawful discrimination because of race, color, religion, creed, age, marital status, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or physical and mental disability.

Salary : $89,438 - $124,387